Survivors of people trafficking

Christine Carolan

Federal

In 2011, two important reports were released on the human rights and needs of survivors of people trafficking. First, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, issued a Report to the Human Rights Council that analysed the right of trafficked persons to an effective remedy. Second, the US Department of State released its annual ‘Trafficking in Persons Report’.

Unique Youth Justice Report combines human rights and best practice

Sean Costello, Brianna Mcgill & Gabrielle Mckinnon

ACT

In July 2011, the ACT Human Rights Commission released its Report ‘The ACT Youth Justice System 2011’ which includes an inquiry into the youth justice system by the Children & Young People Commissioner and a Human Rights Audit of the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre by the Human Rights & Discrimination Commissioner.

Review of suspended sentencing in the ACT

Simon Rice

ACT

In 2010 the ACT Attorney-General, Mr Simon Corbell MLA, asked the Law Reform Advisory Council (‘LRAC’) to report on the use of suspended sentences in the ACT. The referral was made in response to 2009 Australian Bureau of Statistics data which showed an increase in the number of orders in the ACT Supreme Court for fully suspended sentences of imprisonment.

Residential Tenancy Databases: more about landlords, less about tenants?

Anne Macduff

ACT

Residential Tenancy Databases (‘RTDs’) are used by real estate agents and landlords to share information about ‘problem’ tenants. One concern about RTDs is that the information they contain is sometimes false, ambiguous, out of date or inaccurate. Such information can prevent a tenant securing future housing. There have also been concerns that RTDs are not compliant with the National Privacy Principles.

Victims of Crime Assistance

Roger Grime

ACT

The genesis of the ACT branch of Victims Of Crime Assistance League (‘VOCAL’) was heralded by the killing of a child, Grant Cameron, at the Duffy Primary School Fete in 1987. The victim’s parents were devastated when they were officially told, without any prior consultation, that the primary offender, also a child, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter. In their own words they were shocked, hurt, betrayed and angry. But, they also felt they were powerless to do anything and that they were letting their son down.